diff --git a/devel/fossil/Makefile b/devel/fossil/Makefile
index 0e6e35268009..d11e2cade534 100644
--- a/devel/fossil/Makefile
+++ b/devel/fossil/Makefile
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ CONFIGURE_ARGS=	--prefix=${PREFIX}
 USE_RC_SUBR=	fossil
 
 OPTIONS_DEFINE=	JSON STATIC
+OPTIONS_DEFAULT=	JSON
 JSON_DESC=	JSON API support
 
 JSON_CONFIGURE_ON=	--json